Manchester United’s recent transfer policy reads like a how not to guide.
06.11.2023 - 04:39 / manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Manchester United rolled out the red carpet for Jude Bellingham in 2020 as they courted the then 16-year-old Birmingham City prospect.
Fast-forward three years and the midfielder is among the best in Europe and hitting so many heights at Real Madrid that it's impossible to see how bright his future star might burn. United, meanwhile, are scratching around for a midfield combination that can help turn their season around.
And what's worse than seeing a player Erik ten Hag once privately described as the one person he would sign in world football if he could have first dibs living up to his reputation, is the self-inflicted role United played in the England sensation moving to Spain.
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The world's best often end up at Real, but United's trials and tribulations over the past decade effectively meant they were never in the running to bring Bellingham to Old Trafford this summer. On top of that, a large slice of their misguided transfer spend more than covered the fee Madrid shelled out.
At £88million, Bellingham is proving something of a bargain. A player who has scored 13 goals in 13 games, netted a winner in El Classico and been named the best young player in the world. His ceiling is limitless and he already looks worth twice what Madrid paid for him.
And that payment was aided by United handing Real just under £95million for Casemiro and Raphael Varane. They are considerable fees for two players who never had any re-sale value.
While the pedigree and quality of both is unquestionable, the injury record since the pair arrived at Old Trafford has been patchy and you'd have to conclude
Manchester United’s recent transfer policy reads like a how not to guide.
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